Reborn As A Fox Beastman With Modern Knowledge

Chapter 37 - 37: The...

In the kitchen, I'm making some Beef Adobo for dinner. I hope they like it cause its one of my favorite dishes from when I was back on earth.

After it was done cooking, I did a taste test. The saltiness, sourness, and sweetness exploded on my tongue. The taste is so nostalgic, just like I remembered.

Like always, the chefs in the kitchen will observe me and take note of what I cooked. Some asking to sample my cooking which I gladly let them, asking their opinions in return.

"Like always Felix, your dishes are delicious! I don't know where you learned this but I'm hoping to be your apprentice!"

And... I also receive this request multiple times from newly appointed chefs, even those who work here for years asked me to be my apprentice. And I'm talking to one of the new chefs.

"There's nothing really special about my cooking, I'm just doing this as a hobby. I might take you in as my apprentice if I was working as a chef, but sadly I'm not."

I kindly decline to the guy who is not much older than me.

"Even if you're not working as one, I heard for weeks that your skills in cooking are extraordinary! Even surpassing the seniors here!"

I raised my eyebrows at the guy and look at the senior chefs, who are lightly chuckling, making me chuckle as well. I never thought those guys think so highly of me.

"*chuckle* That's a bit of an exaggeration."

"But it's true! I tasted your cooking and it was delicious!"

"Thanks for the compliment."

Then one of the chefs went over to me and placed his hands on the guy's shoulders.

"You might want to stop bud, you might not know but he's the husband of Princess Lillian, and also the Hero who stopped the attack on the University."

"Hero and Husband of the Princess! I'm sorry for my rudeness! I thought it was a coincidence that you, a person with higher standing, is in a kitchen with us commoners!"

"Don't be, I'm not really big on titles anyway. I'm just like any other people outside the castle."

"I'm truly surprised... I thought that people with power are arrogant, that we should always bow down to them."

"True, there are a lot of people who are arrogant, but they're still people."

"Wow, you're a wise person, Felix."

"Not really... oh, my Adobo is done. I'll see you later."

[Dining Room]

On the dining table were Philip, Madam Lizelle, Daren, Lillian, Sally, Karla, Queen Isabel, and Ruby.

"So... how's the Beef Adobo?"

"It's..."

I anxiously wait for their opinions.

"Really delicious, I commend the chef who cooked this."

Queen Isabel commented.

"Tasty..."

Ruby comments but in a soft voice, due to eating with new people.

"Glad you enjoy it, Isabel."

Philip replied.

"Can I ask who cooked this dish?"

"That would be my son."

"Wow, I didn't know that you're a great cook Felix."

"It's really nothing Queen Isabel, it's just my hobby."

"Your cooking isn't nothing Big brother! It's the best!"

"You should be proud of your cooking Fel."

"Thank you."

"Your welcome."

I then continue eating dinner until I heard Sally, Lillian, and Karla talking to Ruby.

"So are you going to do it?"

Karla said to Ruby.

"N-no."

"When are you going to do it then?"

"I-I don't know..."

"You'll never do it if you keep this is up."

Sally interjects.

"But you don't have to force yourself you know, but Sally is also right. You'll never gain the courage to do it."

Lillian comforted Ruby.

"O-ok."

"How about this, tomorrow morning..."

In the city, I'm giving a tour for Queen Isabel and Ruby, showing them different attractions and etc. During the tour, Sally, Lillian, and Karla are talking to Ruby yet again.

I don't know what it was about, but it seems it has to do what they're going to do today. So I just continued giving the tour until I was suddenly nudged towards Ruby, making me stumble into her. It's crowded today so I think that's it.

"Sorry about that Ruby, are you ok?"

Her face, a bit red.

"Ye-yeah, I'm ok. Just wh-what happened?"

"I don't know, I think someone accidentally hit me while walking and I lost my balance for a second."

"That was a bit da-dangerous."

"It's really crowded today so that's bound to happen I guess."

"Ye-yeah, it was bo-bound to happen."

She stuttered for a bit.

"Are you ok? You're a bit red..."

I placed my hands on her forehead, Feeling warmth.

"It's not really that hot, so you don't have a fever."

"I-I'm ok, Felix! No need to be concerned!"

I removed my hand from her forehead.

"If you say so, just tell me if you feel unwell."

"O-ok."

"So where have they've gone to?"

"I do-don't really know."

[The Others]

"Nice job Sally, Hubby didn't notice a thing."

"Thanks, what are friends for right?"

Sally and Lillian said to each other giggling. While Karla is observing Felix and Ruby at a distance.

"Sally, Lillian, their walking away."

Karla told Sally and Lillian.

"Let's follow them!"

Sally cheerfully said.

"Sorry for dragging you into this Queen Isabel."

"It's no problem, Karla. I already noticed that my daughter is quite attached to Felix. Now let's see your plan in action."

Where are they? I've been walking around for minutes looking for them.

"Felix?"

"Yes? What is it?"

"Uhm... it looks like we couldn't find them."

"Yeah, let's go back to the castle then. Maybe they're waiting for us at the castle."

Before I could walk and head back, Ruby grabbed my hand.

"Fe-Felix, co-could we stay like this for a while."

"Ah, sure."

"..."

"... So, do you want to do something?"

"Huh? W-we could explore the city alone."

"That's not a bad idea... ah! I know a good spot!"

I led Ruby out of the city and into the forest.

"Where are we going, Felix?"

Ruby asks while trekking through the rugged path while holding on to her hand.

"It's not too far now, we can reach it before sundown."

"What is it?"

"Ah, it's up ahead! I'm sure you'll love it!"

"Ok, I trust you."

When we reach the clearing, were standing on a cliff. Overlooking the beautiful city down below, the sunset as the background.

"Wow..."

"I manage to found the spot when I flew the Black Hawk over here, I didn't get the chance to visit this place until now. So do you like it?"

"It's beautiful!"

She looks like an angel, her eyes sparkling with the view of the city. Until she called out to me.

"Fe-Felix, I-I want to tell you something!"

"Tell me something?"

"Ye-yes... I... I lo... I lo-*thud* Eep!"

"Ow..."

"Huh?"

Before Ruby could finish her sentence, a loud thud resounded through the forest. Surprising me and Ruby.

"What was that Felix!?"

"I don't know. We should go back now, it's getting late."

"Yeah, we should. I don't want to see who made those noise!"

"What are you doing!? You ruined the moment!"

Lillian whispered to Sally angrily, who is now on top of her.

"It's dark and the rock was wet!"

"Still, you should be careful!"

"Guys, there going back."

Karla calmly commented while observing Felix and Ruby going back to the forest.

"That was a waste, it was a big moment for my daughter."

Queen Isabel Sullenly said to herself.

"*sigh* Let's go back, they'll be wondering where we've been."

Lillian dusted herself, now that Sally is off of her

"Yeah, sorry about that."

"It's fine, there still a next time."

"Where have you guys been? And why are you dusty?"

I ask everyone who is a bit dirty for some reason.

"Oh, this? There was something being built and the wind manages to blow the dust towards us"

Karla replied.

"Oh, let's get back to the castle. It's getting darker now."

"That was a total bust, so what now?"

Sally said to everyone.

"I think I have an idea to get my daughter to tell Felix."

"What is it, Queen Isabel?"

Karla asks Queen Isabel.

"We should lock them together."

"Lock them together? Are you sure you're ok to that to Ruby?"

Lillian curiously asks.

"She's a big girl, she can handle it."

"If you say so."

"So here's the plan..."

"Hubby."

"What is it, Lillian?"

"I need you to help me with something."

"Sure, what do you need help with?"

"There's an old tea set in a storage room that was important to me, could you please help me find it?"

"Sure."

"Great, follow me!"

I then followed Lillian until I saw a door that's open. This must be it.

"The tea set must be inside of some of this c.h.e.s.t."

"Give me a few minutes to find it."

"Thanks, Hubby! I also have something to do, just let me know if you find it!"

She then left.

So where is this tea set? Maybe here? No... how about this c.h.e.s.t? Nope...

After a few minutes of looking, I found nothing until someone calls out to me.

"Felix?"

"Ruby? What are you doing here?"

"Me? Mother said that there are some old maps that she needs, so she asked Lillian to guide me to get it."

"Huh? Lillian asked me to get some old tea set."

"I'm going to go back and ask Lillian where the map is. She left in a hurry so I couldn't ask her properly."

"Oh, well I'm going to look for the tea set. If I'm lucky, I'll find you if stumble upon the maps while searching."

"Thank you, Felix."

"You're welcome."

I then continue searching for the tea set and even the map until I heard Ruby murmur something.

"Wait, why can't I open it?"

"Is there something wrong?"

"The door's stuck."

"Really? I thought it was open a moment ago?"

I went to the door where Ruby is struggling to pull it open.

"Let me help."

"O-ok."

I place both my hands on the handle with Ruby's.

"Ok, on 3. 1, 2, 3!"

*Grunt* Why the heck is this door so stuck!? After pulling for a good 10 seconds, something unexpected happens. The handle of the door fell off, making us fall backward.

"Yaaaggghhh!"

I instinctively grab the falling and screaming Ruby, wrapping my arms around her head and back. Taking the brunt of the fall on my back.

"You ok Ruby?"

"Ye-yes I'm fine."

Before I could register what was happening, I'm hugging Ruby on my c.h.e.s.t. Feeling her fast heartbeat through my c.h.e.s.t.

"I-I'm sorry about that, let me just..."

Before I could remove my arms around her, she said something that surprised me.

"No, I want to stay like this Felix."

She's looking directly at my eyes, her face is mere inches from mine.

"Uh... ok."

"At the cliff, the view you showed me. It was wonderful, I never thought I could see something so beautiful."

"How about flying? Did you enjoyed it?"

"I did, and it was my best experience ever!"

She excitedly told me but then went into a more serious expression.

"But... I haven't finished what I was about to say to you at the cliff. This might not be a great place to tell you this, but I don't want anything to get in my way! I-I love you, Felix!"

Before I could react, something soft is touching my lips! Sh-she's kissing me! After kissing me, my face is clearly showing my surprise look.

"Uh... I... I'm speechless."

"I-I know that you can't just accept my feelings like that and I'm sorry!"

Before she could stand up, I hug her harder. Making sure she's not leaving, yet.

"Ruby, It was just a total surprise to me, but I didn't say I did not accept your feelings. You know, your one of the best people I have ever met."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. And I'm happy to accept your feelings."

A wave of relief and happiness pass over Ruby.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!"

*Bam* The door suddenly burst open to see Sally, Lillian, Karla, and even Queen Isabel looking at us through the doorway.

"Congratulations Foxy, Ruby!"

"I'm rooting for both of you!